Parents / guardians wishing to enrol their child in the Faythe School are invited to fill out, and return, an Application for Enrolment Form to the school, before the last Friday in February of each year.

The Application for Enrolment Form is four pages in length. Pages 3 & 4 are taken from the Belfield Infant Assessment Profile (B.I.A.P) which is administered to every child towards the end of Junior Infants. The BIAP enables early identification of possible learning difficulties while allowing staff compile accurate pupil and class profiles, and develop detailed development plans.

While appearing lengthy, collecting this information at the time of Enrolment means that information needed to complete the BIAPS does not have to be collected twice.

The Board of St. John of God School hereby detail the Enrolment Policy pertaining in the school as of 4th December 2018. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 commenced on 3rd October 2018 and Section 11 – Amendment of the Equal Status Act 2000.

St. John of God Convent School is a Catholic Primary School under the patronage and trusteeship of the Bishop of Ferns. It was established in 1875 under the trusteeship of the Sisters of St. John of God.

At present Staff is comprised of the Principal, the Home School Community Liaison Teacher, Learning Support Teachers and Mainstream Class teachers, SNAs, secretary, cleaner and cleaner / caretaker.

All classes from Junior Infants to Sixth are taught in mixed groupings of boys and girls.

While every effort is made to keep classes in single grade settings, on occasion there are multi-grade classes in the Faythe School. The formation of multi-grade classes is at the sole discretion of the teaching staff.

The school operates under the direction of the Department of Education & Science (D.E.S.) from which grants and resources are received annually.

The school curriculum followed is the Revised Curriculum for Primary Schools (1999) produced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in conjunction with D.E.S. This curriculum may be amended from time to time in accordance with sections 9 & 30 of the Education Act (1998).

Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act (1998), and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principals of:

inclusiveness, particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with disability or other special educational need;

equality of access and participation in the school:

parental choice in relation to enrolment; and

respect for diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society.

Enrolment Procedures

Application Procedures

Parents / Guardians seeking to enrol their child / children in St. John of God School are requested to return a completed Enrolment Application form (available in the Office) with copies of both a Baptismal (if applicable) and a Birth Certificate to the School.

In line with the Common Enrolment Procedure for Primary Schools in Wexford Parish, applications for Junior Infants class must be made by the last Friday of Februaryfor proposed year of entry. Infants must be 4 years of age on or before 30th Sept., Infants must be 4 years of age on or before 30th September of the year of their enrolment.

Decision Making

As a general principle and in so far as practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided there is space available.

The Board will have regard for relevant Department of Education & Science guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and / or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of the children.

The Board is bound by the Department of Education & Science’s Rules for National Schools which provides that pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 years and upwards, though compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6 years.

In the event of applications for enrolment to Junior Infants exceeding the number of places available, the children's age will determine who are offered places.

The Board of Management reserves the right to amend any aspect of the above as may be deemed necessary.

Other pupils may be enrolled during the school year if for example they are newly resident in the area. Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to the rules governing National Schools. A letter of transfer from previous school must be provided if transferring during the school year.

In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with special needs the B.O.M. will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report or where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed immediately.

Children enrolled in our school are required to co-operate with and support the School’s policies on Code of Behaviour, Organisation and Management. The Board places responsibility with Parents / Guardians co-operate with said policies in an age appropriate way.

Right of Appeal

In accordance with the Education Act (1998), a right of appeal against a decision not to enrol a child is provided for disappointed applicants: Appeals should be presented in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Management , within a reasonable time (normally two weeks) of the decision being made.

This policy was amended and approved by the Board of Management on 4/12/18. Signed: Fr. James Cullen, Chairperson B.O.M.